Growing numbers of surveyors expect property sales to keep falling over the next few months in the UK, with the “never-ending Brexit saga” spooking many buyers and sellers.

Expectations of near-term sales dropped from -4% in July to -23% in August in the latest residential market survey by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, representing the balance of positive and negative opinion.

New instructions to sell, and buyer enquiries, were flat, with demand from buyers tailing off after two months of growing interest in previous surveys.

The survey also showed demand for lettings on the rise, but falling supply as growing numbers of landlords have left the market – driving up rents.